Andy Anderson

I am President of an Insurance Direct to Consumer Marketing Firm based in Toronto. I purchased a property on MacDonald’s Island in 2005 and have been enjoying summers on the lake with my daughters Sarah and Kirsten ever since. I have experience in accounting, bookkeeping, and financial management through my own business as well as my first job after university as an Assistant Manager in Finance at Proctor & Gamble. I have been serving as BRLA treasurer since January of 2026.

Brittany Brown

I grew up in Portland, where my parents owned Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals, and they still live there today. The lake has always been a huge part of my life and many of my best childhood memories were spent on the water. My husband and I now have our own cottage in Portland, where we spend as much time as possible with our three boys. Our eldest volunteered at Cow Island Camp for two years and is now a paid counsellor, while our two younger boys attend as campers. It has been special watching them create their own memories and become part of the same community I grew up in. I currently manage the social media for the Big Rideau Lake Association, which has given me the opportunity to become more involved, connect with members and help share important updates, events and initiatives.

Professionally, I am a second-generation Realtor with 17 years of experience, the owner of Fidacity Realty and the founder and team lead of BTeam Ottawa. I would be honoured to bring my communication, business and community-building experience to the board. I care deeply about protecting the lake, supporting the people who enjoy it and preserving everything that makes this community so special for future generations

Ida Chvostek

I am fortunate enough to be a year-round citizen of Portland where I have lived since 2020888where I currently own and operate the Portland Pizzeria and Family restaurant. I spent almost 20 years in academia prior to making this career change. Originally an earth scientists, specializing in climate change, I also have experience in the social sciences where I focused on cognitive linguistics and the language associated with environmental sustainability. With my academic interests centering on how we communicate climate change, and the emotions associated with it, I have an ongoing interest in the environment at large but perhaps most of all the local stories that shape communities. As such, I’m excited to be the part of the BRLA board, serving as the new environmental director. The Big Rideau is a unique legacy that we all need to protect for generations to come, and I’m honoured to be able to play a part in that work

Claire Snider

Claire Snider has been part of the Big Rideau Lake community for more than 30 years, and her husband's family has enjoyed a connection to the lake spanning three generations. A seasonal resident, Claire and her family spend their summers at the cottage, where many of their fondest memories have been made. Her four children have grown up on the lake, attending Cow Island Camp from a young age and now returning as camp counsellors, continuing a tradition that has strengthened their connection to the community.

Professionally, Claire is an experienced educational leader and school principal with the Upper Canada District School Board, bringing expertise in strategic leadership, governance, collaboration, and community engagement. Through her involvement with Cow Island Camp, she is particularly passionate about mentoring and developing leadership capacity in young people, helping camp counsellors build their understanding of child development, positive youth engagement, communication, responsibility, and effective leadership practices.

Deeply committed to preserving the unique character of Big Rideau Lake, Claire believes in thoughtful stewardship, strong community connections, and ensuring the lake remains a vibrant place for future generations.

Marcia Taggart

As part of a large extended family on the Big Rideau Lake, I am a 4th generations cottager with the Taggart family first settling on the lake in 1903. I have many amazing memories as a child with my cousins and then as a teen making social connections and friendships that continue to this day. My kids have been attending at Cow Island camp since they were little and our interest in the camp has been renewed in recent years with my son working there first as a volunteer and then as a counsellor. This has opened my eyes to the opportunities for community building created by the BRLA and Cow Island. Our family was involved in the recent construction of the sports court on the island, and I am excited to continue to build the membership and community around this great facility.

I am a lawyer and have spent my career primarily working in the public sector both with municipalities and the Province in land use planning. I think that my skills will allow me to make a meaningful contribution to the BRLA Board.